Lucas Covolan played for Brazil and spent a season as club mate of Philippe Coutinho.

But the Worthing and former Whitehawk goalkeeper is in no rush to head back home as he makes his way in English football.

Covolan is relishing aspects of English football and life in general having moved to this area in time for the start of last season.

He has given London a try but been lured back by the attractions of the Sussex coast.

And he is enjoying showing off his goalkeeping and footballing skills in a neat-passing side managed by Adam Hinshelwood.

The Argus:

Throw in the fact Rebels have suddenly started to win games and Covolan could not be happier.

It is all a long way from playing in the junior ranks for Vasco da Gama, one of the big four clubs in Rio de Janeiro.

Or being selected for a Brazil under-20 side which included would-be Chelsea forward Oscar.

Covolan told The Argus: “I played at a really high level.

“I was with Coutinho at Vasco. I wouldn’t say we were best friends but he would recognise me. We played together at Vasco da Gama for a whole year.

“I played with Oscar in the national team at under-20s.

“I moved to Mallorca for two years but the level of football wasn’t great.

“It was like living in paradise apart from the football. The island is really nice. But I really wanted to change my life.”

Covolan comes from south of Rio in Curitiba and also had a stint playing for Atletico Paranaense.

The Argus:

Lucas Covolan, third right, stands behind a then curly haird Philippe Coutinho at the graduation ceremony for academy members at Vasco da Gama who passed their academic exams

But he lost his way in the congested world of Brazilian club football and joined what is a perpetual mass exodus to live the dream in Europe.

He said: “What they do in Brazil with youngsters is amazing.

“But there are a lot of very good footballers.

“There are a lot of clubs and a lot of competition.

“I needed to move to Europe and I had an Italian passport.

“Sometimes it’s hard. You are far from home and your family.

“But it’s my dream.

“Brazil is so big and sometimes it’s not fair.

“You can be a good player but, if your manager doesn’t like you, he will play someone else.

“Or the manager will play someone whose agent has paid him. It’s difficult.

“A lot of people ask me if I will go back there but I enjoy living out of Brazil.

“My family and friends are there but here I have a different kind of life here.

“I can live a good life in Brazil and have nice things but you don’t feel free there.

“I feel like no one will judge you here.

“And sometimes in Brazil you are not safe.”

Covolan was one of the many overseas players brought to Whitehawk by Pablo Asensio in the run-up to last season.

He had his ups and downs with Hawks.

The physical aspect of the English game did not faze him as he showed under a stream of high balls in the early-season win over Dartford.

But he was rather too combative a couple of times as a frustrating campaign progressed, resulting in red cards. Now he is living in Worthing thrilled to be back in Sussex – while hoping Rebels can be a stepping stone to bigger things.

He said: “At the start of the season I was in London but I decided to move back down here.

“It is quieter here and I love my life here. I want to have a great season. Maybe there will be interest from higher teams.

“But the club is really good. They have really helped me, really supported me with everything.

“Adam (Hinshelwood, manager) has been great for the team and for me as well and I really like the way we try to play football.”

Worthing go to Thame United in the Trophy today,